CO537-1651 — Page 134

ENCLOSURE

I

(Paragraph 6)

ANNOUNCEMENT MADE BY THE GOVERNOR

ON THE 1ST MAY 1946

"His Majesty's Government has under consideration the

means by which in Hong Kong, as elsewhere in the Colonial Empire,

the inhabitants of the Territory can be given a fuller and more

responsible share in the management of their own affairs. One

possible method of achieving this end would be by handing over

certain functions of internal administration, hitherto exercised

by the Government, to a Municipal Council constituted on a fully

representative basis. The establishment of such a Council, and

the transference to it of important functions of Government might,

it is believed, be an appropriate and acceptable means of affording

to all communities in Hong Kong an opportunity of more active

participation, through their responsible representatives, in the

administration of the Territory. But before a decision is taken

on the methods of giving effect to the intentions of His Majesty's

Government, it is considered essential that the important issues

involved should be thoroughly examined in Hong Kong itself, the

fullest account being taken of the views and wishes of the

inhabitants. The Governor has accordingly been instructed to

examine the whole question, in consultation with the representatives

of all sections of the community, and to submit a report at an early

date, bearing in mind the policy of His Majesty's Government that

the constitution should be revised on a more liberal basis as soon

as possible. The aim will be to settle and to announce NOT later

than the end of the year the principles on which that revision

should be based.

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